(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union), a fierce advocate for the rights of immigrants issued the following statement today regarding much needed workplace and health care access protections for New Jersey’s vast immigrant population during the coronavirus pandemic:
“New Jersey has the third largest share of immigrants nationwide. Many have been deemed essential employees during the current public health crisis and they must be protected.
“There is much that can and should be done at the federal level during this pandemic such as providing monthly stimulus payments to all taxpayers, making COVID-19 testing and treatment available to all people, regardless of immigration status, providing immediate relief to offset the cost of utilities and housing, stopping immigration enforcement and detention and more.
“There are also steps we can and should be taking at the State level in New Jersey. I urge Governor Murphy to consider signing an executive order to guarantee privacy protections for immigrants seeking access to government services so that they need not fear deportation.
“Also, because so many immigrants continue to go to work every day as essential employees on the front lines, they deserve the right to decline working in unsafe conditions without fear of losing their jobs.
“So many immigrants in New Jersey continue to be there for us during this unprecedented coronavirus crisis. It’s imperative that we are here for them.”